asked the Minister for Health whether voluntary contributors under the Social Welfare Acts, who were entitled to benefits under the Health Acts before their incomes rose beyond the £1,200 per annum limit and who will now come under the new income ceiling of £1,600 per annum, will be considered as having unbroken eligibility for benefits under the Health Acts.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Social Welfare.
6.
Persons who were voluntary contributors under the Social Welfare Acts before the income limit was raised to £1,600 and who are now earning less than £1,600 will become compulsorily insured again. On payment of the first contribution they immediately become eligible for the health services regardless of whether they had the required number of voluntary contributions to qualify before the limit was raised.
7.
asked the Minister for Health whether he will extend qualification for all benefits under the Health Acts to voluntary contributors to the social insurance fund.
Voluntary contributors to the social insurance fund who meet the prescribed contribution conditions are entitled to the same health services benefits as those who are compulsorily insured. I am not aware of any consideration which would warrant extending the benefits for the former group.